Indexing and chucking device



y 5;. B. F. BOWER I INDEXING AND CHUCKING DEVICE Filed May 28, 145

4 Shets-Sheet l ve e-r [n .3 ran, owery-1 ,1946. B. F. BOWER I INDEXING AND CHUCKING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet.- 2

Filed -May .28, 1945 w w w v w yr an my 7? 4T 1. M f w 5 i--- w .m W W Q X liiim @m 7 J J y 1946. B. "F. BOWER V IND BIKING AND CHUCKING' DEVICE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'FiQd May 28, 1945 jyranffiawer J. I x

Patented July 16, 1946 i INDEXING AND CHUCKING DEVICE V Byron F. Bower, Aurora, 111., assignor to Pines y, Aurora, 111., a corpora- Engineering Compan tion of Illinois Application May 28, 1945, Serial No. 596,247

The present invention relates to indexing and chucking devices for machines that operate upon one or both ends of a length of stock such as a tube or a rod. It is the principal purpose of the invention to provide means to feed and position the work at a high rate of speed so that the operating tools can be used to the maximum capacity with a minimum delay in the positioning of new work and, the discharging of finished work.

It is alsothe purpose of my invention to provide in combination a reel feeding mechanism and an automatic self centering chuck so arranged that the lengths of tubing and the like can be advanced to chucking position along a proper center line and then seized by the chuck with a high degree of accuracy and speed. It is also the purpose of the invention to provide a novel mechanism for opening and closing the chuck itself in such a fashion that the work is rigidly held when the chuck is closed but the chuck is opened wide so that the reel can move the work into the chuck regardless of great variation in the size of the work. a v

The nature and advantages of my invention .will appear mor fully from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood however, that the drawings and descriptions are illustrative only and that they should not be considered as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims,

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a tube end finishing machine embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed view on a smaller scale of an adjustable support plate and its mounting. means;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 illustrating the mechanism by which the adjustable support plate is moved;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the chuck operating mechanism showing a modified form of the invention and;

Figure 6 is a side view partly in section taken at right angles to Figure '5.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in a tube finishing mechanism although it will be obvious from the description that the invention is not limited to such machines. The invention is applicable to various'types of machines for cutting and finish- 12 Claims. (01. 82-2) V foremost workpiece- Between the machine s ;I}I' and I2 there is a frameworkffltliat fits-civergthe V 2 ing lengths of stock such as tubing, rods and the like. The present invention provides means whereby the stock can be fed from a supply source (not shown) and held in a proper position for the cutting or finishing operation to be performed thereon by tools located at one or both ends of the work holding device. As shown in the drawings a base Ill carries two spaced apart machines II and I2. The base ID has a track I3 on which the machines I I and [2' may be moved toward and away from each other to accommodate work of different lengths. Normally one of the machines I2 will be placed at one end of the base and the other machine will be adjustable with respect to the machine I2 along the track I3. I have shown the machines II and I2 as having cutting or finishing tool heads l4 and l5 thereon for performing work upon a work piece 1 I6. The heads I4 and I5 are of course movable toward and away from the work. 7

The feeding mechanism by which the work is fed to position between the heads I 4 and I5 comprises a shaft I! which is journaled in two bearings I8 and I9 carried by the frames of the machines I I and I2. These bearings are mounted upon plates 20 and 2| of the aforesaid frames. Two notched discs 22 and 23 are provided with hubs 25 and 26 that are fastened upon shaft IT. A ratchet wheel 21 is also secured upon the shaft If! so that it may be utilized to rotate the shaft and the discs 22 and 23. In order to rotate the ratchet wheel 21 I provide a link mechanism 28 comprising two bars 29 and 30 connected together by a pin 3| that is adapted to ride over the teeth 21a of the ratchet wheel 21 and turn the ratchet wheel step by step. The link 28 is pivoted at 32 to a. piston rod 33. The piston rod 33 is secured to a piston 34 and a hydraulic cylinder 35 to which hydraulic fluid is supplied first to one end and then to the other end from a suitable source. The piston 34 is thus reciprocated at definite intervals to advance the discs 22 and 23 in the direction of the arrowshown in Figure 2 in order to bring the work pieces I6 into position between the-heads I4 and I5.

The Work pieces such as I6 may be supported along side the discs 22 and 23 by a platform '36 which is indicated on Figure 2 of the drawings. These platforms are usually inclined so that the work may roll down againstthe discs and fill the notches as the discs are turnedQf The edges of the discs will of course, keep the work pieces in place until one of the notchesis aligned with the bed I!) andengages the track l3. This frame is clamped in position by two wedge shaped bars 38 and 39 which extend between front and back portions 49 and 4| of the frame and the adjacent aeoaiei in the frame 31 and slots in the plates. InFig 1 ures 3 and 4, the adjusting means for the plates I 44 and 45 are shown. Each plate is mounted on two studs 46 and 41 that are carried by 'the frame I 31. Each plate has three Vertically running slots 48 through which the studs and a lug 49 extend.

The frame alsov has a liftingroller 59 pivoted thereon by means of a pivot pin 5|. This roller.

A coupling 86 is provided between the ends of the link13 so that a limited amount of adjustments of the length of the link 13 may be made. A cylinder BI is carried in two depending portions 82 of the frame 31. The cylinder is pivoted on a cross rod 83 that is mounted on the depending portiom; 82 of the frame. Suitable connections (not shown) supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 8% to reciprocate the piston rod 15. There is, of course, a piston 84 within the cylinder 8| on the end of the rod i5. 7

The form of chuck closing device shown in Figures 5 and; 6 comprises a guideframe made :up of one u-shaped casting 95 and two end plates '86 and-,8]- that are bolted to the casting 85 at their side edges by bolts 88. The casting has a 'cylinder 69 secured to the bottom thereof by has a handle 52 thereonby which it may be ro tated on its pivot so as to raise and lower the plate 44 or 45 with'respect to a cross bar 540i the-frame 31. It is essential that the plates 44 and 45 be readily adjustable since the work pieces ride ion these plates asthey are brought/into position between the heads l4 and I5.

The plates 44 and 45 can be adjusted to satisfactorily align the work pieces with the heads l4 and I5 but in order for the work pieces to be acted upon by the'cutting or finishing tools it must be held rigidly in place and this is accomplished by opposed pairs of chuck jaws 55 and 56. ThesejaWs areadjacent to each of the end discs 22 and 23. In the case. of extremely long work pieces it may bedesirable to have several intermediate discs like 22 and 23 between the end discs 22 and 23. However, only two'sets of chuck jaws are needed.- These chuck jaws are pivoted upon a shaft 51 that is carried in the frame 31.

Each 'of the jaws has a movable liner 58. The

liners 58 are made up' in differentsizes to accom-.

jaws and 56 on a work piece l6 -It will be noted that the chuck jaws, when'the'y are in opened (dotted line) position, are below the top edges of the supporting plates 44 and Misc that they do not interfere with the movement of 'a work piece when the shaft H is rotated to bring the work into position. i

The means for operating the rollers 62 and 63 is best shown in Figure 2. The roller 62 is carried on a bell crank 64 which in turn is pivoted on a shaft 65 mounted on the framework 31. The

lower arm of the bell crank 64 is bifurcated to receiveone end of a link 66 which is secured by a pin 6'! that extends through one side of the bifurcated end of the bell crank and is threaded into the opposite side. The other end of the link 66 four rods 96 that extend througha head 9| of the cylinder and are threaded into the casting. The upper end of the'cylinder is seated in a groove 92 in the bottom of the casting 95. A piston. 93 in the cylinder has its piston rod 94 extending 'up through an aperture 95 in the bottom of the casting. A packing 99 is heldfin place by a capSi that is fastened'by screws 93 to the casting.

Each of 'the end'pl'ates .86 and 87 has two guide ribs Y99 'and I99 formed'thereon to direct two shoes HM and I92 that are carried by a cross head I93 on the. upper end of the piston rod 94. Wear. plates: H14 and i|05f are fastened to the inner jaws of the endplates .86 and 8] for-the faces of the shoes ifllfandlllzjto ride upon.

The cross headsupports two shafts I66 and I61 each of which has two cam rollers 18 jour-jnalled ma e ta opposite sides of the cross head. These cam rollers ;engag e opposite chuck. jaws I99: and H6. The chuck jaws arepivoted upon two stub shaftsH-l and 2 that are mounted The full and'dotted line positions of the jaws.

HIS-and [l9 as illustrated in Figure 5 show how the jaws open by riding down on the rollers I98 as the :cross head is lowered. The guides 99 and lililiand theplatesi I04 and I95 insure'accurate guiding .of .thelcros's' head in it's'vertical movementf 1' 7 The final clamping action of the jaws-is ob- I tained by providing tapereds'ide faces |3 and is secured to the upstanding arm of a bell crank .69 which is pivoted on a shaft 10. The shaft '16, 'is secured in the frame- 31. The other armv H of the bellcrank 69 is pivoted bya pin 12 to an adjustable link 13. One end of the link 13 is pivoted by a pin 14 to apiston rod 15. The other end. of the link 13 is pivoted by a pin l6 to the bifurcated end 11. of a bell crank 18. The' bell crank pivoted on a shaft'l9 and carries the roller 63.

4 onthe jaws I09 and 9. 'These faces are provided by mounting tapered wear plates I ||5 and-| |6on' the chucks.

part of: its stroke. All of the closing pressure is 'on -therollers H18 and not n the pivots of the jaws.- V It is believed that the nature'and advantages of my invention will -.be clear to those skilled in the art to. which it'isdirected. 'Itjis evident that various minor modifications may be made 1 without departing from the spirit and scope of thelinvention i r I 1.; Indexing, andgcliucking mech amsmtfor. p

sitioning and holdingwork pieces such as lengths These plates maywell be of hardened steel and tapered to suit the spaced apart guide members having upper edges along which the work pieces may be moved to position, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said' members, and to move below said guide edges for passage of the work piecesto and from operatingposition, and means to close said chuck jaws com,- prising cam faces on the outer opposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from open'position-into closed position.

2'. Indexing and chucking mechanism for pcsitioning and holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising spaced apart guide members having upperguide edges along, which the work pieces may be moved to position, opposedchuckjaws pivotedto'close upon a work piece positioned on said'members,

and to move below said guide edges for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, and means to close saidchuck jaws comprising cam faces on the outeropposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from open positioninto closed position, the supporting means comprising opposed bell crank levers, an operating member and means connecting the member and the levers for moving the rollers in unison. V V

3. Indexing and chucking mechanism for pcsitioningand holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising spaced apart guide, members having upper guide edges along which the work pieces may be moved to position, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said members, and to move below said guide edges for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, and means to close said chuck jaws comprising cam faces on the outer opposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from open position into closed position, the supporting means comprising a slide carrying said rollers, and movable, to close the jaws, upwardly in a direction of a line through the pivotal axis of said jaws, and the center line of the jaws when closed, the cam faces on said jaws diverging toward the free ends of the jaws whereby said rollers wedge the jaws toward each other as they are raised.

4. Indexing and chucking mechanism for pcsitioning and holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising spaced apart guide members having upper guide edges along which the work pieces may be moved to position, a work carrying reel for moving the work pieces into position, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said members, and to move below said guide edges for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, and means to close said chuck jaws comprising cam faces on the outer opposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from open position into closed position.

5. Indexing and chucking mechanism for positioning and holding work piecessuch. as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising spaced apart guide members having upper guide edges along which the' work pieces may. bemoved to position, work advancing means comprising a shaft above said members, spaced circular carriers fixed on said shaft and having notches in their peripheries for seating the :work pieces, opposed chuck, jaws pivoted to close upon a workpiece positioned on said members, and. to move below said guide edges for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, and meanszto close said chuck jaws comprising cam faces .Ol'lithe outer opposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers, en-

gaging said cam faces, and movable. supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from openposition into closed position. I

6. Indexing and chucking'mechanism forxp'ositioning and holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising: spaced apart guide members having upper guide.

edges along which the work pieces may be moved to position, work advancing means comprising a shaft above said members, spacedcircular car riers fixed on said shaft and havingnotches in" their peripheries for seating the workpieces, the

upper guide edges on said guide members beingv substantially segments of a circle about an axis in substantially vertical alignment with said shaft, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said members, and. to

cave supporting and guiding surfaces, along which the work pieces may be moved to position, a work carrying reel for moving the work pieces into position, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said members, and to move below said guide surfaces for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, 1

and means to close said chuck jaws comprising cam faces on the outer oppositesurfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting means for said rollers operable to move the rollers upwardly to lift the jaws from open position into closed position.

8. Indexing and chucking mechanism for positioning and holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, said mechanism comprising spaced apart guide members having upper concave supporting and guiding surfaces, along which the work pieces may be'moved to position, a work carrying reel for moving the work pieces into position, said guide members being adjustable vertically for positioning different sizes of work, opposed chuck jaws pivoted to close upon a work piece positioned on said members, and to move below said guide surfaces for passage of the work pieces to and from operating position, and means to close said chuck jaws comprising cam faces on the outer opposite surfaces of said jaws, rollers engaging said cam faces, and movable supporting upwardly to lift thejaws from open positioninto closed position.

9. Mechanism for positioning and, holding work pieces such as lengths of tubing and rods, comprising. spaced supports, opposed chuck jawsforseizing a work piece on said supports, pivots for said I jaws below the levelof the supports, and means to close the jaws comprising bearing means on I the outer opposite sides of said chuck jaws, spaced apart bearing members engaging said bearing means, and movable supporting means for said bearing members operable to raise and lower them in unison along lines'of decreasing angularity with respect to the jaws as the jaws are brought to closed position, whereby to provide a powerful wedging action clamping the jaws to the work.

10. Mechanism for positioning 1 and holding 7 work pieces such as lengths of tubing androds, comprising spaced supports, opposed chuck jaws for seizing a work piece on said supports, pivots for said jaws below the level of the supports, and

means to close the'jaws comprising bearing means on, the outer opposite sides of said chuck jaws, spaced apart bearing members engaging said 'bearingmeans, and movable supporting means for said'bearing members operable to raise and lower themin unison; along lines of decreasing angularitywith respect to the jaws as, the jaws are brought to closed position, whereby to provide a powerful wedging action clamping the jaws to the work, said supporting means comprising two bell cranks pivoted on horizontal axes on opposite 1 sides of the jaws, the bell cranks having means at one end engaging said bearingmeans, the other ends of said bell cranks beinginterconnected by two links and a lever, and a common drive mem- 7 bar operatively securedto the lever andone of the links. 7

.11; Mechanism for positioning 'and holding work pieces'such as lengths of tubing and rods,

comprising spaced supports, opposed chuck jaws for seizing a work piece on saidsupports, pivots for said jaws below the level of the supporta and means to close the jaws comprising bearing means on the outer opposite sides of said chuck jaws,

spaced apart bearing members engaging said bearing means, and movable supporting means for said bearing members operable to raise and lower them in unison along lines of increasing angularity with respect to the jaws as the jaws are.

brought'to closed position, whereby to provide a powerful wedging action clamping the jaws to the'work, 'said supporting means comprising a on the outer opposite sides of said chuck jaws, spaced apart bearing members engaging said" bearing means, and movable supporting means I for said bearing members operable to raise and 'lower them in unison along'lines of increasing angularity with respect to the jaws as the jaws are brought to closed position, whereby to provide a' powerful wedging action clamping the jaws to the work, said supporting means comprising a vertically slidable drive member having opposed chuck jaw engaging members secured thereon,

and said bearing means'comprising tapered plates on the chuck jaws.

- BYRON F. BOWER. 

